Research Internships

Opportunities are available to volunteer in Peru, or intern in Peru, in some of the most remote, fascinating and largely unspoiled parts of the Amazon rainforest. Positions include Forest Ranger, Herpetofauna Conservation Research, Primate Conservation, Mammal Research, Drone Mapping, Fungi Research, Permaculture and Forestry, Photography and Medicinal Plant.

Field Research Internships for University students also exist. You can join for 1 week up to 10 months and we have places available all throughout the year. Spanish lessons are also available.

Individuals, groups and students doing research all welcome.

The Project

The aim is for environmental volunteers and interns to assist in the project’s conservation-focused, scientific research in the Peruvian Amazon. The site is on a 4,460-hectare reserve and exists as some of the last frontier virgin rainforest in the world. All of our research exists to further conservation in this region; the goal is to come up with management strategies based on data results and to educate volunteers so they can be ambassadors around the world for research, conservation, and education. The skill sets that visitors will receive will teach them universal wildlife research methodology, prepare them for future careers, and/or open their minds to new ideas.

We currently offer the following programmes for Conservation Research Volunteers to select to work with (although it may be possible to work with more than one, so just ask):

Caiman and Herpetofauna Conservation Research

Drone Mapping and Spatial Ecology for Conservation

Forest Ranger for Conservation

Fungi Research and Conservation

Mammal Conservation Research

Permaculture and Forestry Conservation

Primate Conservation Research

Photography

Community-based Medicinal Plant Research and Ecotourism Development

Each project is a minimum of 1 week, but can be expanded to 2, 3, or 4 weeks up to 10 months in duration. If volunteering for 1 month or more, volunteers may achieve higher levels of training, freedom, and independent research capabilities.

Each research volunteer and intern will learn about all of the taxonomic areas that the project researches so as to benefit from a broad spectrum of rainforest knowledge, regardless of their chosen team(s). A training period at the start will cover the theoretical and practical background of the field methods to be used, the ecology and identification tips for the species under study, and forest safety. During this initial training period and throughout the project, open presentation and discussion sessions with the Principal Investigator and other project scientists and ecologists will be held about many of the current issues facing the rainforest, its wildlife and peoples, and potential solutions. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue between conservation groups, the government, local grass-roots organisations and communities concerning the appropriate use of the Amazon rainforest. Coaching and mentoring will continue throughout and while in the field with the team coordinators. Further below, you will find a rough guide to the teams’ daily activities.

Internship Programme in Peru

At the Amazon Basin project, you can do two types of field research internships. One is learning-focussed, which means learning from the research that is already taking place. The other is for students to do university placements, to carry out research for dissertations, or to deepen their research and practical experiences on a topic of their own.

Durations for all internships can range from 1 to 10 months. Interns that want to do research on their own project can select from a variety of research topics already available, or you can work out your own in conjunction with the Project scientists.

Email charlotte@workingabroad.com for details on internships. At the end of your placement, interns will receive a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation/reference, if requested.

Spanish Lessons

Spanish lessons are available for any volunteer or intern who wants to spend time before going into the field taking intensive lessons. You will live at the volunteer house in Puerto Maldonado and can take 20 hrs of classes, 4 hrs per day Mon-Fri. The teachers are all qualified language instructors. Any further questions on this, please email charlotte@workingabroad.com

Requirements

Applicants should be at least 18 years of age unless accompanied by a parent or guardian (at the discretion of the Project Manager), be in good health, have a fairly good level of physical fitness, and be able to swim 100 m unaided. A keen interest, educational qualifications, and previous experience in a related biological or environmental field would be an advantage. Some knowledge of Spanish would also be useful, but is not essential for most aspects of the work will be directed in both English and Spanish. A sense of adventure and the ability to endure often challenging conditions are essential - as is a good sense of humour!

We are also in a good position to offer university students the chance to work alongside biologists and experts in the field of wildlife research and conservation, and upon request we allow students to run mid-term research projects either alongside the Project’s own research or in some cases independently with the use of the Project’s logistics and know-how. Please enquire.

Programme cost

The cost for 1 week is £731, 2 weeks is £1112, 3 weeks is £1346, 1 month (30 days) is £1804, 2 months (60 days) is £3042 and 3 months (90 days) is £3946. Please email for longer durations. This covers all programme costs, including all food (3 large, wholesome meals a day), clean drinking water at all times, lodging in town and in the field, project materials, boat transport to and from lodges, Puerto Maldonado airport collection and departure transfers, all training and supervision by project manager, WorkingAbroad Projects backup and placement support.

The airfare to Peru and the internal airfare/bus to Puerto Maldonado, travel/medical insurance and personal expenses are not included within this price. It is mandatory for you to take out travel and medical insurance for the duration of the project.

How to Join

If you are interested in joining this project to volunteer in Peru's Amazon Basin as a conservation volunteer, you will need to fill out the online application form (you can also print it out and send it to us by post) – to secure a placement on the project, please complete and submit the form including two references and your deposit of £195. If for some reason, your application is declined, we would reimburse this deposit fully. However for those who are accepted, 10% of the full amount needs to be paid within 10 days of being confirmed on the project, with the remainder (90%) to be paid one month before departure. Once your place is confirmed, you will receive a pre-departure package with all detailed information on your project, the region, suggested items to bring etc.

Topical Links & Resources:

Note: This posting is provided on an "As Is" basis and for general informational purposes only. People and Planet (also known as "GoodWork") is not responsible for the content, accuracy, timeliness, completeness, legality, reliability, quality or suitability of this posting. We do not screen or endorse the organizations or individuals involved. If you decide to accept an offer of employment, volunteering or any other arrangement, you do so at your own risk and it is your responsibility to take all protective measures to guard against injury, abuse, non-payment or any other loss. Please read our full Terms & Conditions.